H.P. ⏳ Gobierno de las FF.AA. PARTE 02 📚

The Context of Velasco Alvarado's Coup

Prelude to the Coup

• The coup led by Velasco Alvarado was justified by a scandal, but the underlying motive was financial interests.

• There was frustration with the slow pace of reforms in Peru, leading to questions about how changes could be implemented if not through democratic means.

Emergence of Guerrilla Movements

• The first guerrilla movements in Peru emerged, inspired by Cuban revolutionary figures like Fidel Castro and Che Guevara.

• Groups such as the Movimiento de Izquierda Revolucionaria (MIR) and Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN) began to form, aiming to overthrow the government.

Key Figures in Revolutionary Movements

• Notable leaders included Luis de la Fuente and Javier Ero, both influential in shaping leftist ideologies during this period.

• Héctor Béjar, a former guerrilla turned academic, reflects on these historical events from a critical perspective.

Velasco's Revolutionary Language and Reforms

Radical Approach to Governance

• Velasco's administration adopted a radical language that framed its reforms as revolutionary despite underlying capitalist restoration trends.

• The regime sought to invoke historical figures like Tupac Amaru as symbols of rebellion against colonial oppression.

Economic Reforms Under Velasco

• A series of economic reforms were initiated across various sectors including agriculture, education, and industry.

• For the first time, Peru began producing its own appliances and vehicles; however, much of this production relied on foreign parts.

Illusions of Industrialization

Perception vs. Reality

• While there was an appearance of industrial growth with local assembly plants for vehicles and appliances, true technological independence was lacking.

• Many citizens believed they were partaking in a significant revolution due to these developments; however, it masked deeper issues within the economy.

Political Motivations Behind Reforms

• Velasco’s actions were more about preventing radical alternatives than genuine revolutionary change; his rhetoric aimed at maintaining control during the Cold War context.

The Nationalization of Industries in Peru

Historical Context and Initial Actions

• The nationalization movement began on October 9, 1968, when Velasco Alvarado took control of the IP (International Petroleum) facilities, marking a significant shift in Peruvian economic policy.

• Velasco declared this day as "Día de la Dignidad Nacional," initiating a wave of state ownership over private enterprises across various sectors in Peru.

• Key industries such as copper mining at Cerro de Pasco and iron extraction in Ica were nationalized under Centromín Perú and Hierro Perú respectively.

Expropriation vs. Confiscation

• A distinction was made between expropriating and confiscating businesses; expropriation involves compensation while confiscation does not.

• Velasco aimed to pay for the expropriated companies but faced pressure from American interests that threatened financial sanctions if he failed to comply.

Economic Implications

• Despite being labeled anti-imperialist, Velasco's actions were complicated by his need to appease foreign investors through compensation for seized assets.

• The age and condition of the companies taken over were questioned; many were outdated, suggesting that their acquisition might have been beneficial for modernization efforts.

Agricultural Reforms

• In 1969, Velasco implemented agrarian reform which redistributed land from large hacendados (landowners) to campesinos (peasants), aiming to empower rural workers.

• This reform was portrayed as a victory for the poor against wealthy landowners, although it involved complex negotiations regarding compensation.

Political Justifications

• Velasco justified his coup by labeling previous governments as corrupt and exploitative, presenting himself as a revolutionary leader committed to social justice.

Manifesto and Military Revolution in Peru

The Revolutionary Manifesto

• The speaker recalls Velasco's revolutionary manifesto, emphasizing that the armed forces will initiate a revolution in Peru, distancing themselves from being mere guardians of the oligarchy.

• There is criticism of military leaders who have acted as protectors of elite interests rather than serving the people, highlighting a disconnect between military actions and public welfare.

Historical Context and Legal Framework

• The discussion shifts to the historical context where Velasco closed Congress and annulled the 1933 Constitution, marking an end to parliamentary democracy and the onset of military dictatorship.

• The "Revolutionary Statute" is introduced as a legal framework for this new government, which would operate without a constitution until a new one was drafted.

Economic Conditions Leading to Change

• The speaker questions what led the armed forces to overthrow democracy; economic stagnation is identified as a key factor despite some periods of prosperity.

• A stark contrast is drawn between economic growth for some versus widespread poverty and crisis affecting many citizens, particularly in rural areas.

Guerrilla Movements and Their Impact

• The rise of guerrilla movements in 1965 is discussed as a response to social injustices; young activists sought radical change due to dire living conditions.

• The concept of "foquismo" emerges—where small groups believe they can ignite broader revolutions through their actions. This approach ultimately faced challenges.

Evolution of Revolutionary Tactics

• Young revolutionaries initially engaged with local populations but struggled with acceptance due to cultural differences; their appearance contrasted sharply with local customs.

• A shift occurs with later movements like Sendero Luminoso adopting more relatable tactics by blending into local communities, making them harder to identify.

Political Organization and Future Implications

• Growing political organization among citizens leads to increased militarization by authorities fearing radical changes; this reflects on societal dynamics during times of unrest.

• Despite past efforts at organization, current youth are depicted as increasingly disengaged from politics, focusing instead on entertainment rather than activism.

Reform and Poverty: Analyzing Economic Development

The Objective of Reform

• The primary goal of the reform is to address poverty, but it is argued that reformists often only aim to alleviate symptoms rather than eliminate the root causes.

• Suggestions for immediate actions include providing basic meals like breakfast and lunch in schools to combat hunger among children, indicating a focus on short-term relief rather than long-term solutions.

Charity vs. Structural Change

• Reformists may feel satisfied with small charitable acts, which do not fundamentally change the socio-economic landscape; these acts are seen as temporary fixes rather than genuine reforms.

• The speaker critiques the notion of charity as a solution, arguing that it merely provides momentary comfort without addressing deeper issues of poverty.

Political Implications of Reform

• There is a discussion about whether reform can truly eliminate poverty or if it simply calms social unrest; this raises questions about the effectiveness and intentions behind reformist policies.

• The conversation shifts to communist ideologies and their historical attempts at eradicating poverty, suggesting that while they aimed for elimination, results varied significantly across different contexts.

Recommendations from CEPAL

• The role of CEPAL (Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean) is highlighted as crucial in proposing reforms necessary to prevent communism's rise by improving living conditions in Latin America.

• Recommendations included industrial reforms for job creation and agrarian reforms to provide land to peasants, aiming at reducing social tensions through structural changes.

Historical Context: Velasco Alvarado's Reforms

• Juan Velasco Alvarado’s government (1968–1975), known as "septenio velasquista," sought to implement significant reforms based on CEPAL's recommendations but faced challenges in execution.

• His plan, known as Plan Inca, included nationalization efforts aimed at reclaiming control over key industries like oil, reflecting a broader strategy towards economic independence and reform.

Understanding the Popular Sympathy and Nationalism in Peru

The Role of Nationalism in Gaining Popular Support

• The government seeks to gain popular sympathy amidst a crisis, leveraging nationalism, particularly against Chile, as a strategy.

• It is emphasized that animosity should not be directed towards ordinary Chileans but rather towards their government and powerful groups that manipulate public sentiment.

Analysis of the War with Chile

• A critical analysis reveals that U.S. interests were minimally affected by nationalizations since compensation was provided for expropriated companies.

• The agrarian reform initiated in 1969 aimed to address social inequalities with slogans like "the land will belong to those who work it."

Agrarian Reform Objectives

• The reform sought to calm peasant movements but only partially addressed land ownership issues; 45% of cultivable land remained with large landowners.

• While some oligarchic estates were seized, foreign families retained significant holdings without any loss.

Economic Transformation Goals

• The objective was to dismantle the oligarchy and transform them into industrial bourgeoisie to alleviate social tensions.

• By converting indigenous people into landowners, the aim was to create an internal market where they could purchase goods from newly formed industries.

Limitations of Agrarian Reform

• Despite intentions, many indigenous people lived under exploitative conditions prior to reform; true ownership was not granted individually but collectively through state-created cooperatives.

• Land distribution did not allow individual sales; instead, collective ownership persisted under cooperative structures established by the government.

Impact on Peasantry and Conclusion

• Ultimately, only about 30% of peasants benefited from agrarian reforms while 70% remained untouched by these changes.

• This raises questions about the effectiveness of such reforms in genuinely improving conditions for all segments of the peasantry.

Agrarian Reform and Its Consequences in Peru

Impact on Peasant Population

• The agrarian reform affected only 30% of the peasant population, leaving 70% still landless or in poor conditions, particularly in the poorest departments of Peru.

• Regions like Ayacucho, Apurímac, and Huancavelica did not experience agrarian reform, leading to social unrest anticipated for the year 1980.

Emergence of Violence

• The Sendero Luminoso (Shining Path) initiated its violent campaign in 1980, primarily in impoverished areas such as Ayacucho.

• The failure of agrarian reform is highlighted by its limited impact; it only benefited a small fraction of farmers while failing to address broader issues.

Limitations of Agrarian Reform

• The reform provided land but lacked essential support such as technical assistance, financial aid, and administrative education for managing farms effectively.

• Initial enthusiasm for the reform led to increased productivity; however, this was short-lived due to inadequate resources and support.

Decline in Agricultural Production

• Over time, agricultural production decreased significantly compared to pre-reform levels when large estates were managed more efficiently.

• As a result of declining production, Peru began importing food products that were previously produced domestically.

Industrialization Challenges

• Industrial reforms under Velasco focused on assembling rather than manufacturing goods locally; this limited true industrial growth.

• Local assembly processes were likened to playing with building blocks—lacking creativity and innovation necessary for genuine industrial development.

Economic Policies and Protectionism

• Velasco's administration faced challenges where importing foreign goods became cheaper than local assembly due to high costs associated with domestic production.

• To protect local industries from foreign competition, Velasco implemented protectionist policies by raising tariffs on imports.

Labor Stability Under Velasco

• Velasco's government provided job security through labor laws that prevented arbitrary dismissal—a stark contrast to current employment practices where job security is minimal.

• Current employment conditions are precarious compared to the stability offered during Velasco’s regime; many workers today lack long-term job security.

Discussion on Labor and Social Structure in Peru

The Nature of Temporary Employment

• Discussion highlights the instability of temporary workers compared to permanent employees, emphasizing that only those with established contracts have job security.

Historical Context and Ideological Influences

• Reference to historical figures and ideologies, indicating a belief that past leaders like Velasco had a significant impact on current social structures and labor relations.

Industrial Community Concept

• Introduction of the idea of industrial communities where both employers and employees work together for mutual benefit, aiming to eliminate class antagonism.

Equity in Ownership

• Proposal for workers to gradually acquire ownership stakes in companies, starting with 15% of shares, ultimately aiming for a 50/50 split between owners and workers.

Educational Reforms Under Velasco

• Overview of educational reforms aimed at fostering critical thinking among students while promoting nationalistic values through structured schooling hours and uniformity.

Social Control Mechanisms

Education as a Tool for Equality

• Discussion on how education was used to erase class distinctions among students by enforcing uniform dress codes and promoting collective identity.

Mobilization vs. Individualism

• Contrast drawn between past efforts to organize society under Velasco's regime versus contemporary tendencies towards individualism which serve to control populations by keeping them focused on personal issues.

Organization Against Disorganization

• Emphasis on the need for organized movements (like unions or community groups) as a countermeasure against disorganized individual struggles promoted by current societal trends.

Media Control During Velasco's Regime

Expropriation of Media Outlets

• Description of how media properties were taken from private owners during Velasco’s government, ostensibly for public benefit but often redirected towards governmental control over information dissemination.

Discussion on Nationalism and Ideological Stances

Critique of Media Influence

• The speaker criticizes magazines like Playboy for negatively influencing young minds, suggesting they promote a superficial understanding of women and distract from serious academic pursuits.

• There is a distinction made between frivolous concerns about appearance and the serious ambitions of female students in science, emphasizing that their focus should be on education rather than fashion.

Political Ideologies and Alignments

• The discussion shifts to Velasco's political stance, highlighting his rejection of both communism and capitalism while promoting a form of humanitarian nationalism.

• Velasco's alignment with non-aligned movements is noted, particularly his participation in the G77 assembly which included impoverished nations seeking solidarity.

Economic Policies and Consequences

• The speaker explains that Velasco’s approach was more about economic interests than ideological alignment with communist countries, as he engaged in trade with them for technology and resources.

• A critical analysis is presented regarding the failure of agrarian reforms under Velasco, attributing it to decreased production levels and economic mismanagement leading to a crisis.

Social Unrest and Government Response

• The narrative describes how economic crises led to social unrest by 1973, culminating in protests involving police forces who were also dissatisfied with their conditions.

• Tensions escalated as police went on strike amidst rising crime rates, indicating a breakdown in law enforcement during this period.

Political Turmoil Leading to Coup

• The situation deteriorates further as police protests lead to violent confrontations between law enforcement and military forces.

• A coup against Velasco is foreshadowed due to increasing social movements that he failed to control or address effectively. His attempts at war with Chile are seen as desperate measures for regaining popularity.

• The U.S. opposition to conflict with Chile underlines geopolitical tensions during this era, especially given the presence of an American-backed government there.